Tnich1126
Member
I have both of these pistols with low serial numbers and one has the 1 9/16 cylinder but just trying to verify it is a true 44/40 Frontier gun. Best way to truly identify it?
Thanks Terry
Thanks Terry
44 DA First Model vs 44/40 Frontier
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shown50
Member
I don’t have my Double Action 44-40 handy but if I remember correctly the 44-40 has two rings in the cylinder towards the end since it’s a bottle necked cartridge. The 44 Russian has a single ring in the cylinder. Here’s my 44 Russian Double Action for reference.
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mmaher94087
Member
Matt is correct. The .44 Russian cartridge stop, a visible ring, is about 2/3 down the cylinder. The .44-40 has two subtle slopes that are harder to discern as they are not hard ring cartridge stops like the Russian.
Measure the first ring from the front of the cylinder. If a 44 Winchester, the distance to that ring is 1/4" in. If a 44 Russian, that distance is 9/16". Once you see a few of these guns, it will be obvious by just looking since they are over a 1/4" different. If the cylinder is worn, it is almost impossible to see the second shoulder ring.
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If you are asking if your Frontier model is an original .44/40 from the factory, if all the serial numbers match it is likely, but a letter is definitive:
Letters – Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation
Letters – Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation
The 44 Frontier NM3 and the 44 Frontier DA by definition have to be 44-40s. 
The story as I understand it is that by later in production of both the 44 NM3 and the 44 DA all had 1 9/16" cylinders. Upon the introduction of the 44 Frontier models, the 1 9/16" cylinder and the lengthened frame was available. It was believed that the company ultimately transitioned to the long cylinder for all calibers in these models. The first New Model 3 long cylinder gun came out in 1878 and in 1881 for the Model 3 DA was introduced. The long cylinder in both models was introduced in 1885-1886. My notes have a paragraph about this issue.
There were NM3s and 44 DAs with long cylinders chambered in 44 Russian. The long cylinder started production around 1886 and the two models transitioned to the long cylinder exclusively. Not sure exactly what serial number range saw the change, but it was believed that it took place in in later stages of production, certainly post-1890. I had a 44 Russian DA that had the long cylinder in the 53,000 range plus a 44 Russian NM3 in the 31,000 range with a long cylinder.
The story as I understand it is that by later in production of both the 44 NM3 and the 44 DA all had 1 9/16" cylinders. Upon the introduction of the 44 Frontier models, the 1 9/16" cylinder and the lengthened frame was available. It was believed that the company ultimately transitioned to the long cylinder for all calibers in these models. The first New Model 3 long cylinder gun came out in 1878 and in 1881 for the Model 3 DA was introduced. The long cylinder in both models was introduced in 1885-1886. My notes have a paragraph about this issue.
There were NM3s and 44 DAs with long cylinders chambered in 44 Russian. The long cylinder started production around 1886 and the two models transitioned to the long cylinder exclusively. Not sure exactly what serial number range saw the change, but it was believed that it took place in in later stages of production, certainly post-1890. I had a 44 Russian DA that had the long cylinder in the 53,000 range plus a 44 Russian NM3 in the 31,000 range with a long cylinder.
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